When I dropped my camera and lens back in September, I felt like the wind had gone out of my sails. I didn't shoot for weeks even though I still had my backup trusty D5100. Once I cleaned up my lens and discovered it had survived the fall, I started getting back out shooting again, but didn't quite have the drive I had had before. Well, I am happy to report that I feel like I've got my mojo back, or, as my friend Travis calls it, my "Bird Juju". Last week,
I forgot my hiking boots at home. I usually keep them in my car but I brought them inside to dry out as I had broken through thin ice several days before. I needed to get out of the office, yet I needed to go someplace easily accessible and walkable in my black work shoes. There's only a few places that match those criteria, so I made my choice and headed out. It was a very gray day with flat lighting, and I wasn't really betting I would find anything interesting, but I needed to get out regardless. I arrived at the park I had decided on and made my way around the loop. I watched Black-capped Chickadees make their way from tree to tree, and listened as Steller's Jays squawked and made noise. I went to investigate to see if they were carrying on about anything interesting, like a hawk or other bird of prey, but found nothing. Finally, I had to head back. I walked the path back to my car, and decided to move on over to an access road that ran perpendicular to the pathway. As I came to a bend in the road, I noticed a small, but stout spruce tree in front of me and my gaze drifted down the tree to a little nook in the branches. There in plain view was an itty bitty Northern Saw-whet Owl, just sitting there watching me. It never ceases to amaze me how small these little owls are. I was so thrilled! I have been itching to see an owl again for some time, and that moment was like a big scratch. It was much too dark in there for a good photo, so I just watched it for a few minutes. I thought I might be able to get a better angle on it by moving around to the side. That flushed the little predator and it took off across the road. From previous experiences I figured it had not flown far, so I went in after it. It didn't take me long to find it perched about 7 feet up on some bare limbs, right out in the open. I got into position and began shooting. I had to slow my shutter speed way down as it was low-light, but the owl just sat there fairly still so it wasn't an issue. I was so delighted with the day, I went back to my office very happy.
The previous week had provided some excellent opportunities to shoot Pacific Wrens, which had found their way to one of my favorite winter birding spots. They are rare visitors that have come through in very small numbers the last several years around this time of year. There were two of them (at least) in that area, and I really enjoyed photographing them. They are cute little brown birds that just zip around in the lower brush. They don't sit still for long, so I had to be quick. Other recent photography opportunities have included a couple American Dippers, Common Ravens, Bald Eagles, Bohemian Waxwings, and Common Redpolls.
And finally, just a few days ago, I got a report of another rare bird in our area for this time of year, an American Kestrel spotted in Anchorage several days in a row. At the first opportunity I made my way to the area it had been discovered. It didn't take me long to catch it way up in a very tall willow tree overlooking some nice flat grassy hunting areas. That gives me 151 species for the year! I have officially surpassed my goal of 150 birds seen this year and will hopefully add a few more before the year is up. Last year, a Northern Hawk Owl had frequented the same area, providing many great photo opps for many local photographers. The little falcon never did come out of the trees, but he has been observed several times since then, so there's a chance I may yet be able to shoot the little hunter.
Do you love birds and want to get involved in ways to help them? Consider joining your local Audubon chapter in this years Christmas Bird Count in your area. Or, get involved with Project Feederwatch which you can do from your own home by putting bird feeders up, counting the birds that visit by species, and reporting the data. It's fun and your whole family can help!
That's all for now. I've posted a few recent photos below and my Flickr gallery is always up to date.
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As always, keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars handy!
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